Cosmetic powder box



July 8, 1941. A, 1 KUsTE-RER 2,248,274

cosMETIQ POWDER Box v Filed Juiy 14, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 1 July 8, 1941- A. J. KusTERl-:R 2,248,274

COSMETIC POWDER BOX Filed July 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oEElcE COSMETIC POWDER BOX Aloysius J. Kusterer, Richmond, Va., assignor to The Randolph Paper Box Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application July 14., 1938, Serial No. 219,240

s claims. (C1. 229-6) This invention relates to improvements in cosmetic boxes for powder. The conventional box of this type consists of a cylindrical lower portion or tray, a cylindrical drum consisting of a cardboard hoop with a tense transparent membrane 1 closing one end, said drum frictionally telescoping within said tray and forming therewith a closed chamber containing the powder. The box is completed by a cylindrical upper portion or lid which telescopes frictionally upon the outside of the tray.

As the powder is of impalpable flneness, great diiculty has been experienced in preventing the sifting or escape of the powder between the coacting walls of the telescoped drum and tray. If the box is merely tapped or otherwise slightly jarred, the powder sifts out, spoiling the sales appearance of the package and creating a messy condition of the box in use.

Much inventive talent has been devoted to the prevention of this sifting. Logically, some kind of seal should be provided between the drum and the tray and many expedients along this line h-ave been tried, but heretofore with indifferent success.

It has been attempted to emboss an outwardllr directed bead on the outer face of the hook of the drum which bead requires to be forced into the tray, but it is contended that the wrong principle is involved in the'provision of this bead, for a sealing element to be eifective must be forced out of its position of repose by the member with which it coacts in performing its sealing function.

In the case of the embossed bead, this was initially forced out of its position lof repose and the sealingpressure tends to return it to its repose position so that while it may be theoretically possible for the' bead to perform its sealing function the first time the drum is forced into the tray, the bead will gradually return to its repose position and lose its sealing function.

It has also been proposed to embed a cord or a rubber Ystrand beneath a piece of encircling paper pasted around the circumference of the hoop of the drum. Such a sealing means particularly in the case of the rubber band, is designed along the theoretically correct principle insofar as it is forced out of its position of repose by the element with which the drum telescopes and continually seeks to return to its position of repose which makes its sealing pressure persistent. However a cord or rubber strand affords merely a line contact in the sliding joint between the drum and tray and the existence of a slight high spot on either of the coacting surfaces will suce to provide a passage for the leakage ofthe powder.

It has also been proposed to build up on the outside of the hook of thedrum a sealing ridge composed of a very narrow encircling stripof paper overlain by a wider strip which may be of substantially the same width as therhoop. Inasmuch as cosmetic `powder boxes are as a rule flat and the width of the hoop is quite small,v it becomes impractical to manipulate a very narrow strip of paper in constructing the seal on account of frequent breakage of the paper and furthermore, two cutting and pasting operations are required in the construction of this form of seal At best, it is quite ineffective as a seal, lacking elasticity.

The present invention has for its object the provision of an elastic sealing ring which 'may be alternatively on the outside of the hoop of the drum or on the insidev of the wall ofthe tray characterized by the fact that it is elastic; that it is forced from its position of repose while per'- forming its sealing function and therefore continually .tries to regain its repose position, thus perpetuating the seal. It is further characteI-, ized by the feature that its elastic propertyis derived in part from the manner inwhich it is'v constructed and in Vpart due to the employmentof the principle of the air cushion. l

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a sealing ring composed of a folded paper strip, the folded portion of which tends continually to expand and which retains between its laminations a cushion of air which assists its inherent tendency to expand. Y

Ano-ther object of the invention relates to apparatus by means of which the strip is folded and applied. v l

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description of a preferred and prac'-4 tical embodiment thereof proceeds.

vIn the drawings throughout the several figures of which, the same characters of reference have been used to denote identical parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a cosmetic powder box of the type to which the present invention may be most advantageously applied;

Figure 2 is an exploded ,viewin perspective, the lowest vpart of which shows the'tray, the middle part, the drum and the upper part, the lid;

Figure 3 is a diametrical cross sectionl showing the several elements in their assembled relation;

Figure 4 is a diametrical cross section on an enlarged scale showing details of construction of the seal and the relation of the appurtenant parts;

Figure is a diagram illustrating the method of forming and applying the seal to the hoop of the drum;

Figure 6 is a plan View of a folding device illustrating the paper being turned into a fold;

Figure 7 is a similar view, the paper being omitted for the sake of showing parts which would otherwise be obscured; and

Figures 8, 9, and 11 are cross sections taken along the respective lines 8 8, 9 9, IIl-II'I and II-II of Figure '7.

Referring now in detail to the several figures, and rst to that group on sheet 1 of the drawings which illustrate the cosmetic powder box, the numeral I represents the tray which has the bottom 2 and the cylindrical side flange 3. The numeral 4 represents as a whole, the drum which comprises the cylindrical hoop 5 having the stretched Cellophane cover 6. The lower end ofthe drum is open. The dimension of the drum is such that it telescopes into the tray I with a close sliding t forming with said tray a chamber 'I which contains thel powder. A cover I8 telescopes upon the flange 3 of the tray, enclosing the drum 4.

In filling, it is customary to turn the drum upside down, fill it with powder and telescope the tray over the drum. The sealing means, provided between the hoop Sand the flange 3, see Figure 4, comprises a paper band 8' havingl one side 9 folded one or more times to form a thickened circumferential pad IIand'havingthe other side I!) of single thickness. The intermediate portion II between the part of single thickness and the pad for'ms an inclined plane in the finished seal which facilitates the'sliding of tlieiiange 3 from the part'of the seal of smaller diameter to that of larger diameter.

Thelfoldingof the band 8 is so accomplished that' thelines of fold as at I2 and I3 are not creased so abruptly as to break the fiber of the paper and give Ithe'foldaYV permanent seat. On the contrary, thef'olding is so accomplished that the lines of fold at I2 and? I3 do not strain the paper beyond its elastic limit. Consequently, one may say that the enfolded paper has been folded out of its position of repose andA itcontinually seeks to resumethis position of reposerin` other words, it tends tounfold'.

It'will be observed'from Figure 4'that since the laminations of the fold are free and resiliently expansive, lms I4'of air are maintained between them, which films act as a cushion in promoting the expansion of the'pad. It will be readily understo'od' by referenceto Figure 4 that the width of the pad is such as to provide an effective seal eventhough a high spot may exist at some point between the coacting surfaces of the flangeV 3 and the seal.

Itis" immaterial to the invention, the number of times that the paper is enfolded in forming the seal. Figure 4- shows that the paper has been foldedl upon itself twice. Paste is applied in a single operation to the surface I5 of that part of the paper tape which is enfolded to form the pad and to the surface I6 of the part Ill of single thickness and the tape is pasted circumferentially to the outside of the hoop 5, the enfolded pad being adjacent the top or closed end of the drum. After the drumv has been lled with powder, the tray I is slipped upon it, the ange 3 encompassing the part I0 of the seal which is of single thickness', riding upon the intermediate portion Cil which constitutes the inclined plane, and sliding upon the pad I'I compressing the latter against the mechanical resistance of the paper folds and against the pneumatic resistance of the air cushion. When the trays I come to the filling table they are somewhat non-round in shape, but are conformed to a true round shape by the eX- pansive reaction of the pad II which through its resilient action and its relatively broad width effectively inhibits the sifting out of the powder.

The lid I8 slips upon the outer face of the anges 3 and is not involved in the present invention.

Referring to Figure 5, the Cellophane capped drum 4 is in position for the attachment of the sealing means. A strip of paper I9 unwinds from a reel 23, passes through a folder 2| where it is folded once, passes through a second folder 22 arranged in tandem with respect to the first folder, passes around a tensioning roller 23 and a direction-changing roller 253. Inasmuch as the paper is under considerable tension having passed through the folders and must undergo still further tension in the' subsequent stages leading to its application to the drum 4, it is preferred to have the direction-changing roller 24 driven, as is indicated by the belt 25, so as to take from the paper at the region of the direction-changing roller the cumulative stress to which it has been subjected anterior to said direction-changing roller. Beyond the direction-changing roller, the folded strip passes'in contact with a glue-applying roll 26 and it is to be understood from what has hereinbefore been described that the vglue is only applied to one of the outer faces of the pad I'I and to the adjacent face of the part of the paper tape which remains of single thickness. A doctor 2'I scrapes off' the surplus glue which drains into the glue' pot 28. The glued strip with the glue side out loops around a swinging feed roller 29 oscillated by means of a pitman 39 suitably driven; The amplitude of swing of the'roller 29 is half of the length of the paper tape required to encircle the drum 4. The'p'aper beyond the feed roller 29 passes through a channel 3| above which a pawl 32 is mounted on a horizontal axis so that itsend rests upon the paper; The pawl is so arranged as to permit unidirectional movement of the ypaper tape. In other words, when the paper tape has passed beyond the pawl 32 in the direction of the drum 4, it cannot return in the `opposite direction. Therefore, every time the feed roller 29 oscillates, it draws a length of paper off of the reel and through the folding devices whichv is the length required to encircle the drum. A perforated vacuum head 33 has two movements,'os cillation in both vertical 'and horizontal planes as indicated by the arrows. The vacuum head sucks against the lower side of the paper tape and moves leftward drawing beneath the pawl the length of paper tape that was unreeled by the oscillatory movement of the roller 29. The end of the vacuum head 33 carries a roller which appliesthe end portion of the paper tape against the hoop of the drum 4. The drum is on a rotating mandrel and the vacuum head moves toward the left during the early part of the rotation of the drum 4 subsequent to the application of the end of the paper tape to said drum, so that the paper tape has followed the periphery of the drum through a suitable angle such as a. Enough of the paper tape is in adhesion with the drum to assure that the paper tape will be wound around the drum by the rotation of the drum itaarden self. @When a sufficient length of the papertape has been wound upon the drum, a knife 35 serves the tape. The vacuum Ahead moves downwardly outof contact with the tape then to the right, then upwardly into contact with thetape at apoint which `leaves the end of the tape extending-forwardly of said vacuum head ready to be grasped between the roller 24 and the next drum when the vacuum head again moves in a leftwarddirection..

' Most of the apparatus, and the sequence of functioning thereof as above described is old, th present invention relating specifically to the folding devices 2| and 22 per se, and in tandem corn-A bination.

Referring to Figures 6, '1 and 8, the reference character 36 represents a base having a pair of guide bars 31 and 38 at its forward end spaced apart so as to form a guideway 39 for the paper tape. The guide bars 31 and 38 are laterally adjustable by means such as the transverse slots 40 through which adjusting screws 4| pass and screw into the base. By adjusting the guide bars 31 and 38, the width of the guideway 39 can be changed to take different widths of paper. At the inner end of the guideway is a transversely sliding keeper 42, the front end 43 of which overlies the bottom of the guideway, slightly spaced therefrom to permit the free passage of the paper tape beneath said keeper. A screw and slot connection 44 permits the keeper to be withdrawn to open the guideway for the introduction of the paper tape.

The folding mechanism comprises a creasing plate 45 which is preferably made of wear-resisting material, the front edge portion 46 of which is spaced from the base 36 so that the paper tape from the guideway 39 can slide beneath said plate. The edge of the plate 45 is cut away at intervals as at 41 solely in interest of reducing the friction of the plate against the paper. Opposite the edge 46 of the plate 45 is a cam block 48 which is hardened, at least in those parts which contact the tape to prevent abrasion'. The cam block is so shaped as to provide a space 49 at its anterior end the full width of the paper tape as it emerges from the guideway 39 while at its posterior end it is reduced to a mere crack 50 wide enough to let the thickness of the paper pass freely by.

Beneath the creasing plate 45 is a plate 63 which is adjustable toward the cam block 48 by means of slotted holes 6| through which the screws 62 pass. By means of this adjustment the folder is adapted to take different widths of paper tape, and it also serves to give Ia different width to the fold if desired. The guides 31 and 38 are adjusted according to the adjustment of the creasing plate.

Inserted through the bottom of the base 36 are a pair of rounded ended pins and 52. In its travel through the folder, the paper overrides these pins and the side of the paper tape which is contacted by these pins is turned up gradually perpendicularly to the Vplane of the paper tape as it comes from the guideway. Inasrnuch as paper stock varies in thickness and as it is also desirable sometimes to vary the width of the folded portion of the tape, the pins 5| and 52 are adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the base. This is accomplished by loosening the lock nut 53 and screwing the pins in or out.

The cam block is provided with a series of pins 54, 55, 56, 51 and 58, extending horizontally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the pins 5| and'52. The pin 54 projects beyond the vertical portion ofthe paper tape raised by the pins 5| and 52 -and functions to knock the perpendicular portion of said tape cover. Each of the subsequently located pins 55, 56, 51 and 58 extend progressively farther out and successively act upon the paper tape, progressively flattening the turned up portion. Thus Ia single fold is produced. The iinal'pins of the series overlie the creasing plate 45, and are located a sufficient distance above said plate so that the folded portion ofthe paper tape will not be sharply creased as to break the ber of the paper, but'the fold is left resilient and with the constant tendency to resume the position of repose from which it was diverted bypassing in contact with the series of pins. 1 The pins 5I to 58 are preferably of hard material, and are readily renewed when worn. The series of pins 54 to 58, inclusive, make spaced contact with the paper tape, as contrasted with a continuous line edge, and thus serve to reduce friction between the paper tape and the folder.

When the paper tape leaves the region of the cam block 48, it is in the condition, shown in Figure v( i, a single folded portion 59 having been formed.H A keeper 60 overlies-the line of fold spaced a very slight distance therefrom to avoid forming a sharp crease. The pins 54 to 58, inclusive, are adjustable longitudinally of their axes, adjustment being necessary in view of variations in thickness of the paper stock and also for the purpose of securing perfect operation for different widths of fold.

From the folder 2| the single folded paper tape passes to folder 22 where the folded portion 59 is again folded on itself forming a double fold. This produces a thick group of laminations. No vadhesive is employed to bind the laminations together and the paper at the lines of fold is not crushed or broken. These two factors impart to the folded portion a constant resiliency or a constant tendency of the folds to open. They are normally therefore a loose group of laminations in which a iilm of air lies between the several folds. This air acts as a cushion. Inasmuch as the folding of the paper forces it out of its normal condition of repose, it constantly strives to return to its condition of repose and therefore creat-es a resilient resistance to being compressed which is augmented by the presence of the air cushion.

The folder 22 differsfrom the folder 2| solely in the fact that since the paper tape is reduced in width after it leaves the first folder, the guideway and other parts of the path of travel of the paper tape are reduced in width to suit the width of theA paper tape as it passes through the second folder. In the event that an exceedingly thick pad of folded laminations were desired, it is within contemplation of the invention to provide still a third folder and thus to produce a triple fold.

In applying the single or double folded strip to the drum 4 of the powder box, the side of the fold together with the adjacent unfolded portion of the tape next to the fold are coated with a film of a suitable adhesive and pasted to the drum with the pad portion adjacent the Cellophane closed end of the drum. Alternatively, the seal may be pasted to the inner side wall of the bottom portion or tray with the pad in lowermost position.

While I have in the above description disclosed what I believe to be a preferred and practical embodiment of the invention, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the details of construction both of the box and apparatus are to be regarded, as by way of example and not as limiting the invention excepting in the manner described by the appended claims.

What I claim is: -o

1. Cosmetic powder box comprising members having telescoping anges, together forming a powder chamber, a seal for the sliding joint between said iianges comprising an encircling band of paper longitudinally folded upon itself along one edge,` the laminations of the Yfold being free and springy, extending on oneside only of said band for a distance less4 than' the Width of the band after folding, ysaid seal being pasted to one of the faces of said sliding joint by a layer of adhesive contacting only the sideof the fold and the adjacent portion of the band on the same side as said fold.

2. Cosmetic powder box comprising a anged bottom portion and a flanged drum lclosed at its upper end, the flanges of said members telescoping to form a powder chamber, aseal -for the sliding joint between said flanges comprising an encircling band of paper longitudinally folded upon itself along one edge, the laminations of the Yfold being free and springy' and having air films `,between them, the folded portion extending on one sideonly o'fsaid band for adistance less than the width of the band after folding, `said band being pasted to the outer face of the ange of `said `drum With the folded portion adjacent the closed end of said drum, the smooth side .of said band opposite said fold serving as an ,in- L clined ,plane to guide the flange of said bottom member to sealing position with respect to the folded portion of said band.

3. Cosmetic powder box comprising in com bination a two part container having telescoping flanges, means for sealing the space between said anges comprising a strip of flexible mate,- rial loosely folded lengthwise along one longitudinal edge-only and providing one laminated edge and one free unlaminated edge, said strip positioned intermediate said iianges encircling and secured to thetfface of oneof the anges with the laminated edge inwardlyvfolded and by adhesively sealing the unlaminated edge of the strip to the angeradjacent the free edge thereof andthroughout the periphery thereof and adhesively sealing the infolded laminated edge `of the Istrip to the same face of the same flange throughout the periphery thereof. f ALOYSIUS J.- KUSTERER.., 

